ISSN: 2277-3754
ISO 9001:2008 Certified
International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT)
Volume 2, Issue 9, March 2013
Low Cost Energy Production Using Wind Belt
Technology
Dr.P.Balaguru, B.Vignesh Raj, B.E.Vignesh
Abstract: as the awareness towards generating green energy
increases on a global platform, various kinds of renewable energy
equipments are seen entering the global market on a daily basis
[1]. Wind belt technology is an alternative to the costly and
complex wind turbines. Instead of the conventional focus on
“rotation”, this new wind-based power generator capitalizes on
“vibration”, making use of a physical effect known as
“Aeroelastic Flutter”. In aeroelastic flutter when air passing over
a thin strip of material creates frequencies that translate into
vibrations and in the wind belt case, which convert into energy[2].
Wind belt is one such device that holds a promising future in the
renewable energy market. This device converts wind energy to
electrical energy by means of a stretched membrane and few
magnets located within metal coils [3]. The relative movement
causes a change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the
electrical conductor, and the change in the strength of the
magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor induces a
current flowing in the conductor thus generating electricity [4].
magnetic field applied to the electrical conductor, and the
change in the strength of the magnetic field applied to the
electrical conductor induces a current flowing in the
conductor. One or all parts of the generator may be
implemented as a MEMS (Micro Electro-Mechanical
Systems) device. In one aspect, the direction of the magnetic
field may be substantially perpendicular to an area enclosed
by the electrical conductor, when the membrane does not
vibrate [5].
Key Words: - Wind belt, Aeroelastic.
Fig 1 Typical Wind Belt model
I. INTRODUCTION
Our team designed a working low cost and a small device
to power up small lights radios and possibly a cell phone or
even a laptop. The flutter of the membrane creates an iris of
motion that is used to oscillate magnets in between magnetic
wire coils in order to create a charge. This relatively small
amount of energy can hopefully power lights in poor
countries with little or no cost to the household. Wind belt
design is now being considered to power small sensors in
large buildings air ducts in order to regulate the temperature
of the building without the use of batteries that will need to be
replaced. Currently, the Wind belt technology is new and not
widely used. We hope that the Wind belt will become a more
feasible generator in the next couple of years after the
technology becomes wider known and is augmented to
function with greater efficiency. Our hope is that a series of
Wind belts can someday be used to power larger things like
computers and to charge larger batteries like that of a car or
possibly defibrillator for field medics.
II. CONSTRUCTION
An exemplary electrical generator includes at least one
magnetic field generator, at least one electrical conductor,
and at least one flexible membrane having at least two fixed
ends. The membrane vibrates when subject to a fluid flow.
One of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field
generator is attached to the membrane and configured to
move with the membrane. The vibration of the membrane
caused by the fluid flow causes a relative movement between
the electrical conductor and the applied magnetic field. The
relative movement causes a change in the strength of the
III. POWER GENERATED BY WIND BELT
When calculating the power produced by the Wind belt
device two main assumptions must be made about its relation
of power to geometry and wind speed.
A.
The amount of power, in watts, generated by the Wind belt
is proportional to its area coverage. For example, if a Wind
belt of a finite size was replaced by another Wind belt that
was twice its size; the new Wind belt would produce twice
the amount of power as the original. This is shown in
equation 1where A is coverage area and W is power with the
respective units.
[1]
B.
The power produced is proportional to the cube of the wind
speed. This would mean that if the wind speed were to
double, or increase by a factor of two, the power output
would increase by a factor of eight. This can be shown in
equation 2with the where v is wind speed with the respective
units.
W [W]:v3 [m/s] 3
[2]
The energy the wind produces must be taken into
consideration and for simplicity the kinetic energy equation
will be used to represent its nominal energy. Equation 3
shows the kinetic energy equation where EK is kinetic energy
and m is mass.
252
ISSN: 2277-3754
ISO 9001:2008 Certified
International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT)
Volume 2, Issue 9, March 2013
[3]
[10]
The mass of air is written in terms of mass flow to make
it easier to measure for practical scenarios and can be
elaborated in equation 4 where t is time and ρ is density.
IV. DETAIL MODEL DRAWING
[4]
The power produced by the Wind belt can then be equated
using equation 5
[5]
The density of air is not usually an ideal value to be measured
through a wind turbine so instead the ideal gas equation
shown in equations 6 - 9 will be used to replace density with
variables such as air temperature, T, and pressure, P, which
are more effectively measured. Also note V is volume, R is
ideal gas constant, n is moles and M is molar mass. The
density of air is not usually an ideal value to be measured
through a wind turbine so instead the ideal gas equation
shown in equations 6 - 9 will be used to replace density with
variables such as air temperature, T, and pressure, P, which
are more effectively measured. Also note V is volume, R is
ideal gas constant, n is moles and M is molar mass.
Fig 2 Wind Belt Specification
[6]
[7]
[8]
Fig 3 Wind Belt Magnet and Coil Arrangement
[9]
The new power equation is shown in equation 10 where
power can now be derived given any air pressure and
temperature, wind speed and Wind belt size measurements.
Fig 4 Magnets and Coil Specification
253
ISSN: 2277-3754
ISO 9001:2008 Certified
International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT)
Volume 2, Issue 9, March 2013
Fig 5 Line Diagram of Wind Belt
IV A) PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEW OF THE MODEL
Ribbon(Camera Film)
150
Soldering Rod
200
Multimeter
300
Insulated Tape
40
Nails
20
28 SWG Insulated Copper Wire
500
Screw Driver Set
200
Scissor, Pliers
100
Hammer, Hacksaw, Handsaw
200
LED
10
Nuts, bolts, and washers
40
TOTAL
3360
VI. RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS
To test the Wind belt, blow a large fan across the belt if
there is no wind available.
Fig 7 Two Wind Belt Connected In Series
Fig 6 Photographic View of the Model
V. COST ANALYSIS
The cost of these materials can be cut to a minimum if
recycled materials are used.
Table 1 Cost Analysis
Item
Our Cost (in Rs )
Wood
400
NdFeB Magnet
1200
254
ISSN: 2277-3754
ISO 9001:2008 Certified
International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT)
Volume 2, Issue 9, March 2013
[5] Shawn Frayne, http://www.humdingerwind.com , Honolulu,
Hongkong
[6] http://www.wikipedia.org
VII. CONCLUSION
The Wind belt has no gears or bearings, making it much
more efficient than scaled down wind turbines which have to
contend with friction. This makes Wind belt preferable for
smaller scale applications such as powering LED lights in
rural communities. In addition, due to the nature of
Aeroelastic flutter, Wind belt can be tuned to optimize their
output at different wind speeds and theory is not dependent
on high wind speeds. Wind belts are cheap to produce, the
smaller versions costing not more than three to four thousand
INR with an expected lifespan of 20 years, and can be easily
manufactured in developing countries. Perhaps the most
significant barrier to the current use of Wind belt is the
relative newness of the technology. Wind belts in any size
are not yet being widely manufactured and so each one must
be designed and constructed individually. The construction
of a wind belt is much simpler to that of a conventional wind
turbine. In a wind turbine, gears and other mechanical
systems help in moving the turbine and generate electricity,
whereas a wind belt is just a very simple mechanism which
can be made easily with just few thousand INR. Moreover,
wind belt uses even the lightest of the winds for vibrating the
membrane. In a recent experiment, a prototype of wind belt
was found to be ten to thirty times more efficient than micro
turbines. Moreover, as the constructing a wind belt is cheap,
it can be an excellent alternative especially in rural areas
where kerosene is used for lesser amount of power. As
kerosene produces smoke that is known to create health
problems, a wind belt seems to be an effective alternative
device in the rural areas.
REFERENCES
[1] Sukhathme. S.P.-Solar Energy, 3rd ed., Tata McGraw –Hill,
New Delhi, 2008.
[2] A Text Book of Electrical Technology, Theraja B.L.,
S.Chand& Co., New Delhi, Vol.I, 24thed, 2005 and Vol.II 23rd
ed. 2005.
[3] Tiwari S.L &Srinath L.S., A system approach towards
Utilisation of wind Energy, NAL, Bangalore.
[4] Veziroglu T.N., Alternative Energy Sources –Vol.5 & Vol.6.,
Hemisphere Pub.1978.
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